UST Singers to hold concert in Paris, France

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Singers will hold a concert at the Salle des Pas-Perdus of the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France on September 21. The concert will start at 7:30 p.m., immediately after the opening ceremonies of a UST exhibit at 6:00 p.m. The three-day exhibit, titled "University of Santo Tomas: Four Centuries of Promoting Understanding, Peace, and Culture," will showcase the colorful history of the oldest university in Asia through visual materials like photos and films. It will also feature future development programs of UST. The UST Singers is the university’s premiere mixed choral ensemble composed of students and alumni from its different colleges and faculties. Founded in 1992, the choir is a consistent favorite in various international choir competitions, and the only one to win the "Choir of the World" title twice from the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in the United Kingdom. It won in 1995, when it became the first Asian group to do so, and in 2010. In 1998, the UST Singers won two first prizes and the Prix du Public at the 27th Florilege Vocal de Tours in Tours, France. It also garnered the 1998 Gran Premio “Citta di Gorizia" along with four other first prizes at the 37th Concorso Internazionale di Canto Corale “C.A. Seghizzi" in Gorizia, Italy. "Royal and Pontifical" UST was established in 1611 as the Colegio de Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario in Intramuros, using the library and seed property left by Msgr. Miguel de Benavides, O.P., the third Archbishop of Manila. It was later transferred to Sulucan Hills in Sampaloc, Manila -- the campus that saw two Papal visits and the biggest World Youth Day celebration to date. The institution carries a number of titles in its name: “Royal" by King Charles III of Spain in 1785, “Pontifical" by Pope Leo XIII in 1902, and “The Catholic University of the Philippines" by Pope Pius XII in 1947. Dubbed "classic, timeless, and forever timely" by former Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Edward Joseph Adams, the university has been a long-time witness to Philippine and Catholic history, one that has survived many natural calamities and even served as an interment camp during the Second World War. Among the long list of alumni that passed through its portals are national heroes Jose Rizal and Apolinario Mabini, former presidents Manuel Quezon and Diosdado Macapagal, several National Artists, 11 saints and six martyrs, and tens of thousands of professionals and artists who are said to have become the university's gifts to the Philippines and to the world. - VVP, GMA News